CFL vs. NFL games: Through the eyes of a fan. (CFL/NFL)

         As someone who has been to both Canadian Football League and National Football League games, I can tell you that the game day experience is vastly different from one league to the next. Some people think football is football, albeit the different rules and field sizes. They couldn't be more wrong, as there are a lot of things that distinguish each league's action from one another.

         Tailgating. The first thing you are greeted with at an NFL stadium is the amount of tailgating (parking lots filled with cars and trucks, barbeques and coolers everywhere, tons of meat and beer) being done outside the stadium. It's commonplace in the U.S., and is starting to become a bigger thing here in Canada at CFL games, with more and more teams and stadiums (and local governments) starting to embrace it more, and loosen things up for the fans. People can grill their own food and drink their own beer (within reason) before entering the stadium.
         Concessions. One of the frequent problems I ran into during an NFL game was the behaviour of people lined up at the concession stands. Before I go any further, let me first say that I have several American friends that are very polite and have the utmost respect for everyone else. Time and again at an NFL game, people pushed past me in line, almost knocked me over, rarely say 'excuse me' or 'sorry', and seem to be more impatient than most people. You do get the odd moron up here in line at a CFL game, but the lines are more civilized, as well as orderly.
         Energy. The NFL has the edge here, with stadium crowds getting loud and rowdy when the home team scores a touchdown or make a big play. CFL fans can get loud as well, but because NFL stadiums are bigger with a greater capacity, it seems a lot more electric at an NFL game, especially if all the fans have had significant amounts of alcohol.
         Attitude. This one is a 'stand out' difference, and I'll explain why. Time and again I've been at a CFL game wearing the other team's jersey, and had a couple taunts or shouts of 'Go back to Winnipeg!', but little else. It always seems to be just some old-fashioned ribbing and good, clean fun. Even teams in the CFL that are hated rivals have fans that pick on each other, but rarely anything severe enough to warrant violence. Different story in the NFL. If you wear the opposing team jersey in the home stadium, you're as good as dead. If you were no jersey at all, or any team colours of any kind, you're invisible. I've personally had people try to pick a fight with me, throw a punch, toss beers at me, and use every expletive in the book. Interesting times indeed.

         All in all, each game day experience is unique, and has it's quirks. If you've been a party to some odd CFL or NFL hijinks, let TTS know in the comments below!